Arch invigorator



Dec. 9, 1941. HALL 2,265,729

ARCH INVIGORATOR Filed Oct. 2'7, 1939 F' :b INVENTOR:

fio/e/s 6. HALL.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARCH INVIGORATOR Doris S. Hall, Los Angelcs, Calif.

Application October 27, 1939, Serial No. 301,604

3 Claims.

quite violent vibrations to attain the desired,

result.

It is the main object of this invention to provide means, applicable to the arch of the foot, for imparting at the point selected vibrations so fine as to be hardly noticeable but of great rapidity with a view gradually and gently to increase the blood circulation at this point, thereby to carry off toxins and to induce new and healthy tissue building of the cells.

It is a further object to provide means for adapting the device of the invention to the shape of the arch to be treated in order that contact between the device and the part to be treated may always be present and so that no excessive pressure against the part may be required.

An apparatus disclosing the invention in a preferred form is illustrated in the drawing, and the objects of the invention will be readily apprehended upon perusal of the following description. The scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional side elevation of a structure embodying the invention, and is taken substantially through the center thereof;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation of the device taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing a modification of the center portion of Fig. 1.

The structure of the invention, as illustrated in the drawing, is shaped and proportioned for use by a person occupying a chair or other seat. It comprises a housing I, having a foot rest 2', and the latter should be properly inclined to receive the feet A of the person in a natural position and without exercising undue pressure against the foot rest, all substantially as shown.

A transverse slot 2 is made in the foot rest, and a suitable vibration producing element 3 is mounted directly below this slot on an inclined bracket 4, the top surface of which is parallel with the foot rest. Many types of electric vibrators are in commercial use and some of these devices are fitted with an axial stem 5, to which are imparted hardly perceptible vibrations at very high speed. Such vibrators may conveniently be employed in connection with the device of the invention. A vibratory member 6 is shown suitably secured to the stem 5, as by means of a socket 1 of the stem, into which the member is inserted, and a set screw 8 for detachably securing the member in position in the socket. Such fastening means also permits of vertical adjustment of the member, if desired.

The shape of the member 6 is important, and it is seen to comprise a wing-shaped body flaring sidewise and occupying substantially the entire opening in the foot rest. The wings of the body extend outward on rapidly descending curves 6, 6 which gradually flatten out as they approach the outer ends. The purpose of this wing shape is to accommodate the member to the arch curve of the feet applied thereto. Fallen arches are properly placed at the flattened ends of the wings and higher arches nearer the center of the member.

In view of the foregoing, it is seen that it is merely required to move the feet towards each other on the member until proper contact of the arches with the curved surfaces of the member is obtained, whereupon the device is ready for use.

The device of the invention is primarily designed for service in beauty and hair dressing parlors, where ladies frequently spend extended periods of time seated in fixed positions and where the arches of such ladies conveniently may be treated during such periods of inactivity, thereby not only saving considerable time but also inducing a sense of gradual relief as the treatment proceeds, and so affording opportunity for more complete relaxation. This would not be the case with the more or less violent exercisers commonly employed to massage the feet, which rather tend to set up nervous reactions and so are more apt to accentuate the sense of unrest felt by many persons during such periods of enforced inactivity.

But even very fine vibrations applied directly to the arch to be treated may be found too harsh and inducive to nervous irritation. It is, for this reason, found preferable to place a comparatively thick, resilient pad [0 on top of the foot rest. This pad tends to absorb and to soften the vibrations to such an extent that they are hardly felt by the user. But the vibratory movement none the less spreads over the arch surface and is effective gradually and gently to accelerate the blood circulation through the parts treated.

It may be well, in order to protect the surface of the soft pad contacting the member 6, to provide a fabric lining H, which may form part of the pad or the member, as preferred. Or it may be found better completely to imbed the member 6 within the resilient pad l2, as indicated in Fig. 3.

In view of the foregoing, it should be clear to anyone that I aim to produce an invigorating and tissue building device shaped fittingly to receive the arches of persons to be treated and capable of imparting to the arches a soft and gentle, non irritating vibratory movement. The structure illustrated is designed to produce this result and further modifications thereof may be introduced within the scope of the appended claims. A hood,

l5 may conveniently be mounted on the housin to shield and partly to conceal the feet of thean increasing curve towards the other end to fit arches of different heights, and means for imparting vibrations to said member.

2. An arch invigorator comprising, a foot rest having a transverse slot, a vibration transmitting member rising through said slot for contact with the arches of right and left feet placed on said rest, the upper arch contacting surface of said member being highest at the center and descending to both sides on gradually decreasing curves becoming substantially fiat at the outer ends, thereby to accommodate arches of different heights by adjusting the feet on the rest sidewise until proper contact is obtained, and means for imparting vibrations to said member.

3. An arch invigorator comprising, a foot rest,

, a vibration transmitting member rising through said foot rest for contact with the arches of a right and a left foot placed on said rest, the upper arch contacting surface of said member being highest at the center and descending to both sides on gradually decreasing curves becoming substantially flat at the outer ends, thereby to accommodate arches of different heights by moving the feet sidewise until proper contact is obtained, a resilient cushion covering said member, and means for imparting vibrations to the member.

1 DORIS S. HALL. 

